General Safety
All power tools can be dangerous if both general and tool specific safety instructions are not followed carefully. General
safety instructions apply to all power tools, both corded and cordless.
Start with a Safe Work Area
Keep your work area clean and well lit. Cluttered
benches and dark areas invite accidents.
Do not operate power tools in explosive atmospheres, near flammable liquids, gases, or dust.
Power tools create sparks, which may ignite the
dust or fumes.
• Keep bystanders, children, and visitors away
when using a power tool. Distractions can cause
you to lose control.
Electricity can be Dangerous
Grounded tools (three pronged cords) must
be plugged into a properly grounded installed outlet.
Never remove or cut off the grounding prong or modify
the plug in any way. Do not use any adapter plugs.
Double Insulated tools have a polarized plug
(one blade is wider than the other.) This plug will
fit into an outlet only one way. Do not change
the plug in any way.
Do not use AC only rated tools with a DC power
supply.
Store battery packs away from other metal objects like paper clips, coins, keys, nails, screws,
or other small metal objects. These things can
make a connection from one terminal to the
other, shorting the battery terminals together
and causing burns or fire.
• When using a power tool, don’t touch grounded
surfaces such as pipes, radiators, ranges and
refrigerators. There is a higher risk of electric
shock if your body is grounded.
In damp locations, only plug your tool into a
Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI). If the
work area does not have a permanent GFCI
on the outlet, use a plug-in GFCI. Wear rubber
gloves and footwear.
Don’t use or leave power tools in the rain or wet
conditions.
Do not abuse the cord, carry the tool by its cord,
or pull the cord to unplug it. Keep the cord away
from heat, oil, sharp edges or moving parts.
Replace damaged cords immediately.
Always hold the tool by the insulated gripping
surfaces. Contact with hidden wiring or its own
cord will make exposed metal parts of the tool
“live” and shock the operator.
Rules about Extension Cords
• When using a power tool outside, use an extension cord marked for outdoor use with “W-A” or
“W”. These cords are made for outdoor use.
• Extension cords with 3-prong grounding plugs
must be plugged into 3-prong outlets when using
grounded tools.
• Replace damaged or worn cords immediately.
The wire gauge and length of the extension cord
must be able to handle the amps of the tool.
Find the Amps (A) on the tool’s nameplate and
use the chart to determine the necessary wire
gauge for your extension cord length.
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Good Personal Safety is a Must
Following good safety practices when using all power
tools is a must. Make a habit of including safety in all of
your activities.
Always read and understand the tool’s operator’s manual, tool markings and the instructions
packaged with the accessory before starting any
work.
• Stay alert, watch what you are doing and use
common sense when using a power tool.
Do not use tools when you are tired or under the
influence of drugs, alcohol, or medication.
• Dress right. Do not wear gloves, loose clothes or
jewelry. Contain long hair. Loose clothes, gloves,
jewelry, or long hair can be caught in moving
parts.
• Keep handles dry, clean and free from oil and
grease.
• Be sure the power tool’s switch is OFF before
plugging it in or inserting a battery pack. Do not
carry tools with your finger on the switch.
Remove adjusting keys and wrenches before
turning the tool ON.
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Power Tool Institute | Phone: 216-241-7333 | Fax: 216-241-0105 | www.powertoolinstitute.com
• Always keep a firm footing when using power
tools. Be sure you have balance and control
before you start the job.
Use safety equipment. Always wear eye protection. A dust mask, non-skid safety shoes, hard
hat, or hearing protection must be used when
needed. The reference to “safety goggles” or
“safety glasses” in product specific sections
provides potential options - always refer to the
tool’s operator’s manual for the specific eye protection recommended, which should be marked
as complying with current national standards.
• Unplug tool/remove battery before changing
accessories.
Keep hands away from rotating or moving parts.
Do the Job Safely
• Use the power tool accessories only for the jobs
for which they were designed.
Secure and support the workpiece. Use clamps
and a stable work surface. Do not hold the work
by hand or against your body.
• Keep guards in place and working properly.
• Do not force the tool. Use the right tool for your
job. It will do the job better and safer.
• Use only accessories recommended by the tool
manufacturer. Accessories that may be suitable
for one tool may become hazardous when used
on another tool.
Do not touch the drill bit, blade, cutter or the
workpiece immediately after operation; they may
be very hot and may burn you.
• If a method of dust collection is available with
the power tool, it should be used to reduce the
risk of dust-related hazards.
Maintenance Keeps Tools Working Safely and
Effectively
• Do not use a tool if the switch does not turn it on
and off. It must be repaired.
Look at the tool before using it. Are moving parts
misaligned or binding? Is anything broken?
Damaged tools must be fixed before using them.
Develop a maintenance schedule for your tool.
• Maintain accessories carefully. Keep blades and
bits sharp and clean.
• Take your tool to be serviced by qualified repair
people. Service or maintenance performed by
unqualified personnel could result in a risk of
injury. For example: internal wires may be misplaced or pinched, safety guard return springs
may be improperly mounted.
• When servicing a tool, use only identical replacement parts. Follow instructions regarding
maintenance in the tool’s operator’s manual.
Use of unauthorized parts or failure to follow the
maintenance instructions may create a risk of
electric shock or injury.
• Clean and lubricate a tool only as directed in
its operator’s manuals. Certain cleaning agents
such as gasoline, carbon tetrachloride, ammonia, etc. may damage plastic parts.
• Maintain labels and nameplates. These carry
important information. If unreadable or missing,
contact the manufacturer for a replacement.
When Done, Store the Tools out of Harm’s Way
To avoid accidental starting, unplug the cord,
remove batteries or lock off the switch when the
tool is not being used, when changing accessories, and when adjusting or cleaning tools.
• Keep tools out of the reach of children and
people unfamiliar with the tools.
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Power Tool Institute | Phone: 216-241-7333 | Fax: 216-241-0105 | www.powertoolinstitute.com
Drills, Hammer-Drills, Rotary Hammers and Hammers
the most widely used power tools in the world. They are grouped into three general categories: drills; hammer-drills/rotary
hammers; and hammers. They are used to drill holes and drive fasteners into a wide variety of materials.
Good Personal Safety is a Must
Following good safety practices when using drills and
hammers is a must. Make a habit of including safety in
all your activities.
Always read and understand the tool’s operator’s manual, tool markings and the instructions
packaged with the accessory before starting any
work.
Always wear safety goggles or safety glasses
with side shields complying with current national
standards, and a full face shield when needed.
Use the appropriate mask or respirator in dusty
work conditions.
Wear proper hearing protection, as needed.
• Dress right. Do not wear gloves, loose clothes or
jewelry. Contain long hair. Loose clothes, gloves,
jewelry, or long hair can be caught in moving
parts.
• Crowded, cluttered work areas that can cause
tripping or loss of balance are particularly dangerous.
What Type of Tool do you Have?
Using the right tool will get the job done faster and more
safely.
Drills are used to create a hole with a rotating
drill bit in wood, metal and plastics. Drills are
rated by the maximum bit capacity of their chuck
(1/2”, 3/8”, etc.). These tools are often well
suited for driving screws.
Hammer Drills and Rotary Hammers use impacting action in combination with rotation of the
specially designed “percussion bit” to drill holes
in masonry materials. In the rotary mode they
can also be used to drive fasteners into concrete, masonry, pavement, and similar materials. Often, these tools have different operating
modes; hammering with rotary motion, rotationonly, and hammering-only.
Hammers (also called breakers, chipping hammers or percussion hammers) have a back-and
forth hammering action, without rotation. They
are most often used for light-to-medium demolition or shaping of concrete, masonry, asphalt
and similar materials.
Choose the Right Tool and Bit
Choosing the correct tool and the proper accessory
for your application can help to reduce the risk of serious injury. When used according to the manufacturer’s
instructions, the proper tool and accessory will do the job
safer and faster.
Does the bit shank fit properly into the chuck?
Check the tool’s operator’s manual for the type
of shank necessary (e.g., SDS, Hex, Round,
Spline).
• Is the drill’s capacity adequate for the accessory? Make sure the size of the bit is equal to or
less than the capacity on the tool’s nameplate.
Know your Workpiece
Know what is behind a workpiece before you do
the job. Do not cut into existing walls or other
blind areas where electrical wiring, water, or gas
pipes may exist. If this situation is unavoidable,
disconnect all fuses/circuit breakers, and shut off
any water and gas lines feeding this work site.
Before Drilling or Hammering...
Before working, make sure the tool and its accessories
are in proper working order. Failure to do so may increase your risk of injury and may result in binding, stalling, and loss of control. These situations may cause the
tool to twist or an accessory to break, causing an injury.
• Be sure the trigger turns the tool “on” when it
is pulled and “off” when it is released. A trigger
“lock-on” and lock release must also work correctly.
Check carefully for loose power cord connections and frays or damage to the cord and plug.
Replace damaged tool /extension cords immediately. For grounded tools, equipped with a threeprong plug, make sure the grounding prong is in
good condition.
• For tools with a chuck, be sure the chuck is
tightly secured to the spindle. This is especially
important on reversible type drills. The chuck
could loosen and come off the drill.
Tighten the bit securely in the chuck. Remove all
chuck keys or wrenches before starting the drill.
• Tighten any auxiliary (side) handles provided
with the tool.
When Drilling or Hammering...
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• Firmly grasp the trigger handle and auxiliary
handle (if provided) to maintain control.
• Always hold or brace the tool
securely. Brace against stationary things for maximum
control.
• In a binding situation, the tool
will react in the
opposite direction of
the turning bit. When drilling
into the workpiece (clockwise), the tool will try to spin
counterclockwise.
• Don’t force the tool– apply enough pressure to
keep the bit cutting or chipping smoothly. If the
motor slows down, relieve the pressure. Too
much pressure can damage the bit and cause
you to lose control of the tool.
• If the bit binds in the workpiece, release the trigger immediately. Unplug the tool, and then free
the bit from the workpiece. Do not use a lock-on
button when drilling in warped, pitched, knotty,
or imbedded materials (e.g., reinforcing bars in
concrete) where binding may be more common.
Do not try to free a jammed bit by starting and
stopping the tool.
• As you get close to breaking through the workpiece, reduce pressure and allow the bit to pass
through the hole easily.
• Always keep a firm footing when using power
tools. Be sure you have balance and control
before you start the job.
• Remove material or debris from the area, especially if it could be ignited by hot chips or friction.
When Done...
Unplug tool immediately after use, before removing or changing the bit and before performing
any service or maintenance on the tool.
Store the tool in a dry place.
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Power Tool Institute | Phone: 216-241-7333 | Fax: 216-241-0105 | www.powertoolinstitute.com